In the prologue we read:
Only the Elves still preserve any records of that vanished time, and their traditions are concerned almost entirely with their own history, in which Men appear seldom and Hobbits are not mentioned at all.
Evidence for the snootiness of Elves.
From “The Shadow of the Past”:
Elves, who seldom walked in the Shire, could now be seen passing westward through the woods in the evening, passing and not returning; but they were leaving Middle-Earth and were no longer concerned with its troubles.
Like OT says, “When the going gets tough, the Elves get going out of here.”
From “The Shadow of the Past” (this one is for carton):
Even Gollum was not wholly ruined. He had proved tougher than even one of the Wise would have guessed – as a hobbit might. There was a little corner of his mind that was still his own, and light came through it, as through a chink in the dark: light out of the past. It was actually pleasant, I think, to hear a kindly voice again, bringing up memories of wind, and trees, and sun on the grass, and such forgotten things.But that, of course, would only make the evil part of him angrier in the end – unless it could be conquered. Unless it could be cured.’ Gandalf sighed. ‘Alas! There is little hope of that for him. Yet not no hope.
The possible redemption of Smeagol.
From “Three is Company”:
’And it is also said,’ answered Frodo: ‘Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.’
Heheh, a little Frodo Elf-bash. OT, add Frodo to the Elf-bash ping list! ;^)
Here’s a serious one from “Fog on the Barrow-Downs”:
’Few now remember them[men of Westernesse],’ Tom[Bombadil] murmured, ‘yet still some go wandering, sons of forgotten kings walking in loneliness, guarding from evil things folk that are heedless.’
A reference perhaps to the rangers?